Select full file name when renaming on Windows

Does anyone know if it's possible to change a setting so that the full file name is selected when you rename a file in newer versions of Windows? (i.e. to match the behavior in Windows XP).

Currently it doesn't select the extension, so I have to do it manually.

Solution 1:

Well, sure, if you're willing to go third-party.

#IfWinActive, ahk_class CabinetWClass
F2::Send {F2}^a
#IfWinActive

In the AutoHotKey scripting language. If you, for whatever reason, don't want to/can't install autohotkey, give me a shout in the comments and I'll compile a script containing that so it can run on it's own (and should not have any requirements such as .net)

Solution 2:

Just type Ctrl + a — to select all text in the field — before typing a new file name.

This is practically no extra work at all since you are already going to have to type something.